Troy Aviña, 3, wasn't quite sure what to do when presented with a red Huffy bicycle.

Enamored with the candy in his hand, Aviña waited a few seconds before he took a glance at his new set of wheels, knocked it over and smiled.

Aviña and his grandmother, Mercy Dominguez, 57, of Coachella, were one of more than 30 families to take part Saturday in the annual Baskets of Love, which gifted bicycles, toys and other treats to Coachella Valley children and their families.

Begun more than two decades ago, Baskets of Love raises money and collects donations from groups like the Sun City Palm Desert Cyclist Club for a holiday giveaway to all in attendance. Kids got bikes and toys while their families received gift cards.

Dominguez said she used to volunteer at the Indio event, but came this year as one of the families.

The event at Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Jr. Academy kicked off with coloring and pizza. A few minutes later, the children were urged to go outside as they waited for Santa Claus to arrive in an Indio fire engine.

With his hand waving out the window, Santa greeted the children and took photos before sitting down next to a Christmas tree. Behind him was a band and singers who belted out familiar tunes of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Silent Night."

Rena Agoot, who lives in North Shore, said she started the event 25 years ago after a church leader asked her if she could help a family in need at Christmas. The father was a field worker and the mother had to stop working since she had a heart condition and was pregnant, Agoot said.

Rena Agoot, second from left, created what has becomes Baskets of Love more than 20 years ago. She's joined by volunteers Regina Heredia, Karena Heredia and Lorraine Cornejo.(Photo11: Shane Newell)

Upon learning about their situation, Agoot purchased groceries and toys for the family, giving birth to what has become Baskets of Love.

This year, Agoot said volunteers were able to dole out bicycles, $50 gift cards for teens and $100 gift cards for families.

"We're just blessed to be able to do this," she said.

Agoot said she wishes she can give away more every year. The feeling of giving back, she said, reminds her of what she's learned at church.

"If you give, you receive," she said. "It might not be in money, but you get the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping."

Shane Newell covers breaking news and the western Coachella Valley cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. He can be reached at Shane.Newell@DesertSun.com, (760) 778-4649 or on Twitter at @journoshane